AJ: Tell us a bit about yourself, who you are, where you’re from, if you write full time, what you do for fun. (Inside leg measurement, head circumference and shoe size-kidding!)
AK: Hi! I’m Aislinn Kearns and I write a romantic suspense series with military heroes and heroines. I’m an Aussie that’s recently moved back home after two years in Qatar. I write full-time at the moment, and I’m loving every minute.
For fun, I read, and watch TV and films, and I love cooking (and, more importantly, eating!). But when you work for yourself, finding time for fun is a real challenge!
AJ: It's a challenge, but in my opinion one that can't be ignored. Did you always want to be an author? When did you first start writing?
AK: I did always want to be an author! However, it took me many years and a number of false starts before accepting that it was my true passion in life. I’ve worked many different jobs before finding my happiness pursuing this.
I first started writing when I was a very small child. I think I wrote my first story at about six years old! Thankfully, I’ve improved a bit since then.
AJ: That's about the same age as I was. I can't guarantee I've improved since then. (I am joking-honestly!) Now that you have several titles published, what lessons have you learnt about the writing process?
AK: Oh boy, what haven’t I learned? I’ve learned to be more disciplined, to outline a bit better (though this is still a learning process!), and the value of taking breaks to recharge your writing mind (but not too many!)
AJ: As an Indie Author is there anything from writing through to promotion and publication that you wish you didn’t have to do?
AK: Trying to find people to review your book can be pretty soul destroying, so I really wish I didn’t have to spend so much time at that.
AJ: Just reading that answer made me groan-so true! What’s the hardest part about writing Romantic Suspense?
AK: Balancing the evolution of the suspense plot, with the progression of the romance, with the individual characters’ development so that they all resolve at the right places in the story.
AJ: Tell us about where you write. Do you have a dedicated space or are you able to write anywhere?
AK: As long as it is calm and quiet, I can write anywhere. Soon I’ll get set up with a dedicated space, though, to train my brain to think ‘At Desk = Writing’.
AJ: I need one of them. I do "At sofa=procrastinating!" Name a place fictional or real that you’d like to visit.
AK: The Scottish Highlands is top of my list, though Iceland is up there, too.
AJ: Who are your favourite authors and what are you reading at the moment?
AK: I adore Suzanne Brockmann. At the moment I’m reading The Sapphire Affair by Lauren Blakely in audiobook. She has a great way with sexy, flirtatious banter.
AJ: Do you listen to music while you write? Who is on your current play list?
AK: Nope, I need complete silence! Occasionally I’ll listen to some fast instrumental music for a writing sprint (Mortal Kombat theme, Pirates of the Caribbean theme, etc). But silence is much better for me.
AJ: What are you working on at the moment?
AK: Book 4 in the Soldiering On series (aka Sam’s book!) and I’m developing a Christmas novella which will be my first Contemporary Romance release (without the suspense!). I also started writing a spinoff of the Soldiering On series featuring a (surprise) character from Dangerous Victor, which I’ll finish this year.
AJ: Finally, if you weren’t an author and you could choose to do anything else with your life what would you do?
AK: Be rich and lounge around all day! I’d probably still write, though. I can’t seem to stop.
AJ: I think I'd always write too. Aislinn Kearns, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me.
AK: Thanks for having me!
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What a lovely interview, I love the sense of humour you inject into your chats with other authors, Amy, so entertaining. And Aislinn, I wish I had your discipline, I have a desk where I could work in a more dedicated fashion, yet I always end up in the arm chair with the TV on working with about half the efficiency I know I can manage.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex. I have a desk too. Can't use it. It's in the wrong position-the sun shines on the screen. Bit of a non-starter for writing, really.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to comment on this with my website name, but oh well. Thanks for having me Amy! It was a great interview. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I wouldn't worry, I've got so many different names on different places I don't know who I am any more.
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